Stephen M Vincent
Attorney at State 48 Law
Stephen Vincent is a founding member and attorney at State 48. Stephen has a passion for the law and teaching. He has combined those loves as the head of new client intake and head of legal education programs. He also is the firm’s main researcher and works on all appellate cases.
Stephen Vincent, Attorney, is a lifelong writer who uses this skill to explain clearly and memorably a client’s case to judges. A native of St. George, Utah, Stephen attended Arizona State University for law school where he interned for the Goldwater Institute and worked as a Justice Court mediator. After law school, Stephen worked for a year at the Washington County (Utah) Attorney’s Office. While there, he drafted county ordinances, assisted in homicide prosecutions, and headed up a major project to protect the county’s access to federal lands.
Before law school, Stephen worked as a sportswriter in Utah. He has also taught writing and communication courses at Southern Utah University and Dixie State University. Because of his background as a professional writer and writing instructor, Stephen is the ideal person to tell your story. Stephen loves sports and spending time with his 24 nieces and nephews.
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Appeals & Appellate
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Family - Arbitration/Mediation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Arizona
- State Bar of Arizona
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- English
- Client Intake Attorney and Appellate Attorney
- State 48 Law
- - Current
- Senior Attorney
- Best Law Firm
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- Special Deputy County Attorney
- Washington County (Utah) Attorney's Office
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- Arizona State University
- J.D. (2013) | Law
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- Honors: Four-time Pedrick Scholar (Dean's List) CALI Award in Arizona Media Law
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- Southern Utah University
- M.A. (2008) | Communication
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- Brigham Young University
- B.A. (2004) | Communications (Print Journalism). Minor: English
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- Rising Star
- Super Lawyers
- Top Family Law Lawyers in Scottsdale
- Expertise
- Firm Award
- State Bar of Arizona # 030779
- Member
- Current
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- Q. Seeking Advice on Moving and Parenting Time in Arizona
- A: That seems like an acceptable move.
Moves like yours happen all the time, and the vast majority do not result in any court action at all. It is common for parenting to continue to share equal parenting time at that distance. So most likely, it should be fine.
That said, nothing in the law is ever guaranteed: It is possible the other parent could attempt to modify the parenting plan based on the distance, and it's possible a judge could agree. But I think that scenario is very unlikely.
- Q. Considering an amicable divorce with children, moving from AZ to UT. Where to file: AZ or wait for UT residency?
- A: One of the requirements for filing in Arizona is that at least one of the spouses must be domiciled in Arizona for 90 days. That means you must have lived here for the 90 days prior to filing for divorce with the intent to remain here. You indicate, "We wish to file for divorce soon after establishing residency in Utah." Once you establish residency in Utah, Arizona is no longer your domicile; therefore, you would not be able to file in Arizona.
- Q. How can I legally protect my custody rights in AZ?
- A: It sounds like it is time to go to Court. It's probably the only option you have right now to protect your parental rights.
What you're going to need to do is file a Petition to Establish Paternity, Legal Decision-making, Parenting Time, and Child Support with the Court and get her served. You may also want to consider a Motion for Temporary Orders to get a legal decision-making and parenting time order (i.e., a custody order) in place as soon as possible, but I would talk that over with an attorney before you do so.
Her refusal to let you see your son and her mental health are relevant issues. In determining custody, the Court is going to look at whether each parent is safe. ... Read More
